She wished to speak of it, yet was in uncertainty whether Lydia had already been told.

The latter was the first to bring forward the subject.
'It's quite certain she oughtn't to make a friend of that girl Totty,' Mary said, with decision.

'You must insist that it is stopped, Lydia.' 'I shan't do any good that way,' replied the other, shaking her head.
'I lost my temper last night, like a silly, and of course only harm came of it.' 'But there's no need to lose your temper.

You must tell her she's _not_ to speak to the girl again, and there's an end of it!' 'Thyrza's too old for that, dear.

I must lead her by kindness, or I can't lead her at all.